Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-09-25

friend" he said, with a sneer. "By
all means am perfectly willing"
Edith drew short breath.
"You are a coward" she said quiz
etly; then, before he could speak, she
went on, very slowly and with great
deliberation: "Lucy is upstairs; l
ann alone with you; the scandal,
therefore, will fall on me- Now, shall
call the servants, or will YOU go?"
| "By Jove !" he muttered under his
breath.
He had never come across this sort
of woman before; his eyes just met
hers. and, at the unutterable disgust
and contempt in them he was abashed /;
he took up his hat and sauntered out
of the room without saying one word.
| Edith followed him and closed the
door herself upon him; then, shaking
| like leaf, she went into the dining
room, extinguished the lights and
then crept up stairs, feeling that for
once in her life all her strength and
courage were hopelessly gone.
The event just passed had lasted
barely three minutes, but the result
was none the less painful.
AS she reached the upper landing
she felt some one clasp her knees, and
then crouch down at her feet, and all
her nerve returned.
With her strong young arm she
lifted up Lucy, who was weeping bit
terly, and almost carried her into her
own bedroom, and the rest of the
night was spent in trying to soothe
and console the poor foolish moth
who had futtered SO near the candle,
and by her aid had escaped; for be-
fore morning came Edith had learned
all she wanted to know; and, save for
her supreme folly and weakness, Lucy
Dalton had done nothing to separate
herself from her husbands life. \ \
Mr.. Dalton returned to his cosy
home full of spirits, and Edith met
him with as much light-hearted mall
ner as she could assume.
81 am afraid you will never leave
me Lucy's guardian again, Herbert, :"
she said; "for you will find her rather
shattered. She caught cold one day
driving, and have kept her indoors
ever since"
She did not stay in the room as she
uhloliCu UilS opCCOll, OuC do cAiC phuo
the door she caught glimpse of
Lucy's golden head buried on her
husbands shoulder, and she was con-
tent.
81 think she has learnt her lesson"
she thought to herself, "and now l
will trot home to papa"
Mr.. Lascelles welcomed his daughter
affectionately. 81 got your letter,
Edith" he said at once, "and l have
asked young Rochdale to dinner to-
night. Does that suit you??'
Edith simply nodded.
Punctually at eight the door was
thrown open and Mr.. Rochdale an
nounced.
Mr.. Lascelles shook hands effusively
with the young man.
edith. my dear" he began.
But Edith did not move; she fixed
her eyes on Mr.. Rochdale.
Papa" she said very distinctly, 81
do not desire further knowledge of this
gentleman we have met before"
George Rochdale's face grew GRIM
son, then white; he recognized the
voice of the girl who had ordered him
from her friends house few nights
ago, though the first glimse at the tall
slender form in dainty evening dress
had not enlightened him.
Edith" began Mr.. Lascelles,
alarmed and angry.
She took up her fan and walked to
the door.
"Cousin Minnie will take my place
tonight; 1 shall dine in my ROOM"
Three minutes later she heard the
hall-door bang, and from her window
saw Mr.. Rochdale get into a hanson
and drive away.
Mr.. Lascelles came up, for the first
time in his life in a terrific passion
with his daughter.
"You may say just whatever you
like, papa" Edith remarked very
quietly; II know this man to be a
coward and scoundrel, and / would
not marry him or even speak TO him
again for all the fortunes in the
world" ~